Ambush (1950)

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
In 1878, Ward Kinsman, a prospector and Indian scout, has been persuaded by the US Cavalry to find Mary Carlyle, the daughter of a general, who has been taken by Apaches.

Cast
Robert Taylor ... Ward Kinsman
John Hodiak ... Capt. Ben Lorrison
Arlene Dahl ... Ann Duverall
Don Taylor ... Lt. Linus Delaney
Jean Hagen ... Martha Conovan
Bruce Cowling ... Tom Conovan
Leon Ames ... Maj. C.E. Breverly
John McIntire ... Frank Holly
Pat Moriarity ... Sgt. Mack
Charles Stevens ... Diablito
Chief Thundercloud ... Tana
Ray Teal ... Capt. J.R. Wolverson
Robin Short ... Lt. Storrow
Richard Bailey ... Lt. Tremaine
and many more...

Directed
Sam Wood

Writing Credits
Luke Short ... (story)
Marguerite Roberts

Produced
Armand Deutsch ... producer
Sam Wood ... producer

Music
Rudolph G. Kopp

Cinematography
Harold Lipstein

Trivia
Jean Hagen's movie debut.

Final film of director Sam Wood.

Memorable Quotes

Filming Locations
Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA
Gallup, New Mexico, USA

Watch the Movie

[extendedmedia]

Ambush is a 1950 western film directed by Sam Wood
and starring Robert Taylor, John Hodiak and Arlene Dahl.
This was the last film directed by Sam Wood.
The plot is based on the serial story Ambush by Luke Short
in The Saturday Evening Post (25 Dec 1948–12 Feb 1949).

The movie was filmed on location at the Corriganville Ranch in Simi Valley, California,
home of hundreds of western movies and television shows through the decades
as well as such outdoor action films as The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Jungle Jim (1948)
Additional location work for the film took place in and around Gallup, New Mexico

Reception
According to MGM records the film earned $2,108,000 in the US and Canada and $1,107,000 overseas, resulting in a $401,000 profit.

User Review

Standard fare but very well done
22 May 2003 | by jxm4687 (Bend, Oregon)

Quote

This is pretty standard cavalry outpost versus the Apaches fare, but it's well acted and directed, moves along at a good clip and boasts an intelligent script that develops its stock characters effectively. Robert Taylor is at his best in this kind of stalwart but human role. And the rest of the cast delivers strongly. (Arlene Dahl has great chemistry with both Taylor and John Hodiak, rivals for her affections.)

This was director Sam Wood's last film. The many action scenes are well staged and exciting, although color would have enhanced them. This is an example of big-budget Hollywood westerns from the late 40's and early 50's (many better known than this, e.g., "Red River) which--for some reason--were filmed in black and white.